Continuing to build on its tradition of excellence, this authentic community arts celebration takes pride in presenting one of the nation's most outstanding visual arts venues. The Smoky Hill River Festival includes a highly competitive, juried show that brings exceptional exhibitors from coast to coast together. The Fine Art and Craft Show is highly revered among artists, garnering multiple awards of recognition now more than 40 years. With a local culture that values and appreciates art of all kinds the show continues to draw patrons purchasing more than half-a-million dollars annually in original, hand-made work.

In addition to this outstanding juried show, the Festival features eight selected artisans in the Art/Craft Demonstration Area and nearly twenty Art Installations nestled throughout the park. Visual art is an important part of the Festival as is the participation and engagement of Festival goers in the creative process.

Smoky Hill River Festival Fine Art and Craft Show presents artists from all over the nation. This highly competitive, juried show presents original gallery-quality fine art and contemporary and traditional craft and folk art. The show has garnered numerous national awards of recognition. Both artists and patrons can expect a show of the highest quality across every category of artwork presented. Steeped in the tradition of a "true arts celebration," the show provides an exciting opportunity to sell and purchase through a very direct, rewarding and personal experience.

Private and Business Patrons from all over the region enthusiastically anticipate this once-a-year opportunity to select and purchase beautiful, original work for their homes, offices or for gift giving. Over $11,000 in Jurors' Merit awards are given including $2,000 of art purchased for the Salina Community Collection. Media represented include ceramics, jewelry, fiber, mixed media, painting, drawing/pastels, glass, metal, wood, graphics/printmaking, digital, paper, sculpture, and photography.

Artisans share their handmade processes during scheduled 45-minute demonstrations Friday through Sunday. Each presentation takes the viewer from conceptual beginning to the beautifully finished piece. Artists may include historic context, design inspiration, or share the skillfully developed craftsmanship used to create their individual techniques and unique styles.
Over 1.3 million dollars of original art has been purchased by art show patrons. Registered patrons who purchase original work make a positive impact on the community culture and attract high caliber artists. By purchasing a ticket to PREMIERE you will receive all of the exclusive patron benefits, but attendance at the party is not required*.

BENEFITS INCLUDE
The fun begins at Stage II on Thursday, June 11th from 7pm-9pm with the PREMIERE party!

PREMIERE is a popular come and go party that gets better every year. Together patrons and artists celebrate the opening of the Festival in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. At check-in Patrons receive a swag bag and $100 in Art Gift Certificates**. Under the Stage II tent local favorite Relish serves up deliciously crafted small bites alongside a variety of cold beverages donated by Blue Skye Brewery & Eats and Crown Distributing. Some patrons like to keep the party going by scooting over to the Stein Stage to catch the Thursday Night Jam!

From 9am-10am Friday, June 12th, Patrons are invited to preview the Fine Art and Craft Show to get an exclusive sneak peek and make their purchases before the show opens to the public.

Each day from 10am-7pm patrons wearing their ribbons get VIP treatment at the Patron Hospitality Tent*** where they can enjoy cold drinks, water and light snacks.

Click here to purchase your ticket to PREMIERE.
Advance purchase only.
2019 SOLD OUT so, get your friends together and
sign up NOW!

*Attendance at the Premiere party is not required to take advantage of the patron benefits.
**Individuals who buy a ticket to Premiere for $100 per person will exchange their ticket for $100 in Art Gift Certificates in person at PREMIERE or the Patron Hospitality Tent.
***The Patron Hospitality Tent is connected to the East side Artist Hospitality Tent.
Please note: Special parking accommodations can be made for those with accessibility issues when arrangements are made by calling Salina Arts & Humanities before 10am on Wednesday June 10th.

Unique to the Smoky Hill River Festival are large-scale art installations located throughout the park. Installations provide a great parallel to the development of public art within the community. These projects provide participating artists an opportunity to work on a large scale and to create works that exist in outdoor environments. Site-specific works are commissioned and installed annually, to the delight and discovery of thousands of Festival attendees. Whether decorative or kinetic, interactive or conceptual, the creativity and quality of these diverse works speak to the event and its decades-long, strong arts traditions.